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Where These Numbers Come From
IGF-1 LR3 is a research tool and performance compound — it does not have human clinical trial data for the way it's used in the community.
IGF-1 induces muscle hypertrophy through satellite cell activation and increased protein synthesis in differentiated myofibers (Adams & McCue, 1998). LR3 IGF-1 infusion in animal models stimulates organ growth (adrenals, gut, kidneys, spleen) while suppressing endogenous IGF-1 and IGFBP levels (Bastian et al., 1993).
The LR3 modification provides a 20-30 hour half-life (vs minutes for native IGF-1), reduced IGFBP binding, and approximately 2-3x potency. Community doses of 20-80 mcg daily are extrapolated from animal research scaling, decades of bodybuilding experience, potency considerations, and risk management balancing anabolic effects against hypoglycemia (Florini et al., 1996).
Stacking Protocols
MK-677
20-40 mcg post-workout
12.5-25 mg PM
Growth stack
BPC-157
250-500 mcg
Growth + recovery
CJC-1295/Ipamorelin
20-30 mcg post-workout
CJC/Ipa
Per protocol
Comprehensive GH/IGF-1 axis
Community protocols describe running IGF-1 LR3 alone first and lowering LR3 doses to 20-30 mcg when stacking. Community sources emphasize watching blood sugar closely, since multiple compounds may compound hypoglycemia risk, and describe blood work (IGF-1, glucose, insulin, HbA1c) as essential.
Side Effects & Safety
Hypoglycemia (most immediate risk) — shaking, dizziness, sweating, confusion; community sources describe keeping fast-acting carbs available
Organ growth — gut distension and cardiomegaly possible with prolonged, high-dose use
Jaw and hand growth — subtle acromegaly-like changes with chronic use
Cancer risk — chronically elevated IGF-1 is associated with increased cancer risk in epidemiological studies
Joint pain — connective tissue changes, water retention
Fatigue/lethargy — common, especially initially
Injecting before sleep — community sources warn against this, as hypoglycemia during sleep is dangerous
mg to Units Conversion
On a standard 100-unit insulin syringe, each "unit" equals 0.01 mL (so 100 units = 1 mL). Once IGF-1 LR3 is reconstituted, the conversion from a target dose to syringe units depends on the chosen dilution.
The two reconstitution ratios most often described in community protocols are below.
Reconstitution A: 1 mg vial + 1 mL BAC water (1 mg/mL) — the standard dilution from the Quick Reference above.
25 mcg
0.025 mL
2.5 units
50 mcg
0.05 mL
5 units
75 mcg
0.075 mL
7.5 units
100 mcg
0.1 mL
10 units
Reconstitution B: 1 mg vial + 3 mL BAC water (333 mcg/mL) — more BAC water for larger, easier-to-measure draws.
0.15 mL
15 units
0.225 mL
22.5 units
0.3 mL
30 units
These conversions reflect the dilutions documented in community reconstitution protocols. They report how the math is described, not a recommended dosing schedule.
Core Supplies for This Protocol
The three essentials for running any reconstituted injectable: cold storage, accurate syringes, and metabolic tracking.
Cooluli Classic 4L Mini Fridge
Compact thermoelectric mini-fridge with heat/cool toggle. The most-mentioned dedicated peptide-storage fridge in research community sources — fits ~20 vials and runs quietly.
BD Ultra-Fine 31G 0.3cc 5/16" Insulin Syringes (Box of 90)
0.3cc 31G syringes — each gradation marks 1 unit (vs 2 units on 1cc), making sub-50-unit peptide doses accurate. BD Ultra-Fine is the most widely-cited brand in peptide community sources.
CONTOUR NEXT GEN Glucose Meter All-In-One Kit
Ascensia's CONTOUR NEXT GEN — the most clinically-validated home glucose meter. Includes 20 test strips + lancing device. Tracks the blood-sugar response GLP-1 users care about, especially during dose escalation.
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